As Labor Day and the end of summer approach, many of us probably hope to squeeze in a few more trips to the beach. But we may want to be cautious about where we swim.
The Natural Resources Defense Council has released its annual water quality report card for more than 3,000 ocean and Great Lakes beaches. New York, the only state with both ocean and Great Lakes coastline, ranked a dismal 22nd out of 30 states for beach water quality. New Jersey and Massachusetts fared better, coming in at seventh and ninth, respectively.
The NRDC bases its report card on contamination levels measured by the Environmental Protection Agency. Storm water runoff is cited as the worst contributor to beach water pollution. Last year, unacceptable bacterial levels caused more than 20,000 beach closures or swimming advisories.
The Environmental Protection Agency has received some criticism for its standards for allowable bacterial levels in recreational waters. It currently accepts a risk of 36 gastrointestinal illnesses per 1,000 swimmers. That’s 1 in 28 people.
Swimming in contaminated water can cause many health issues, among them rashes, ear and eye infections, hepatitis, and respiratory illness. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
Of course this does not mean you should avoid the beach. But be aware. Seek out water quality data on your favorite beach, swim with your head above water, avoid swimming after a heavy rain, and teach children to avoid swallowing beach water.
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Web Links
Environmental Group Rates Beaches for Water Quality
Testing the Waters 2013
http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/default.asp
How EPA Could Ruin Your Summer Vacation
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/sfleischli/how_epa_could_ruin_your_summer.html
Can Your Beach Vacation Make You Sick?
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/plehner/can_your_beach_vacation_make_y.html
Photo, taken on October 8, 2004, courtesy of Anna Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.